A new marketing agreement between two California produce companies should result in about one million cases of persimmons being shipping this season. Meanwhile, we take a final look at the recent Florida and Texas citrus shipping seasons, while giving a glimpse of what is to come on the West Coast.
MPG, Inc., one of the largest persimmon growers in the United States, and The Giumarra Companies of Los Angeles have announced an agreement that will kick off in late August. About one million cases of persimmon will be shipped starting at the end of August from California’s San Joaquin Valley. Fall persimmon shipments from California will conclude about December 1st. Then persimmons from Spain will be available from November through February arriving at Port of Philadelphia.
While persimmons are considerrd a niche commodity, great potential is seen by many for the fruit.
MPG was founded in 2002 as a family operation and has since grown to be among the most largest producers persimmons in the U.S. , extensive acreage of Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons in thes San Joaquin Valley. MPG is also a partnered grower of Spanish persimmons that will be imported following the conclusion of the domestic season, extending distribution for programs into February.
Fuyu persimmons will be offered in one-layer cartons or 2 lb high-graphic handle bags in a 31.5 lb master case and other specialized program packaging. Giumarra’s Nature’s Partner brand. Hachiya persimmons will be shipped in a one-layer carton or consumer packs in counts of 10, 11, or 12.
Citrus Shipping Round Up
Florida orange shipments totaled 68.7 million 90-pound boxes, down 16 percent from the 2015-16 season and down 29 percent from the 2014-15 season, according to the final USDA forecast for the 2016-17 season.
Florida orange shipments have declined significantly in the last decade as a result of rampant citrus greening disease.
The USDA projection for volume was up 200,000 boxes from its June estimate of 68.5 million boxes.
Florida tangerine and tangelo loadings were up 14.5 percent to 1.62 million boxes.
There were bout 7.8 million 85-pound boxes of Florida grapefruit down 27.8 percent from a year ago and down 39.5 percent from 2014-15. Shipments from California and Texas were relatively steady from last season, with 4 million and 4.8 million 80-pound boxes projected, respectively.
California orange shipments also were off, estimated at 48 million 80-pound boxes, down from 58.5 million in the 2015-16 season.
California, which accounts for most domestic lemon shipments, is expected to move about 19 million 80-pound boxes this season, down about 9 percent from 2015-16.
California tangerine and tangelo production grew 11 percent to 24 million boxes. Tangelos are shipped in 90-pound boxes, while tangerines go out in 80-pound boxes from California and in 95-pound boxes from Florida.